Headaches are a common issue for children and young individuals. While most headaches are not a cause for concern, it is important to know when to seek advice from a healthcare professional.

If your child is experiencing frequent or severe headaches, it is recommended to keep a headache diary to track when headaches occur, how long they last, and any possible triggers. This information can be helpful for healthcare providers in diagnosing and managing the headaches.

In addition to keeping a headache diary, it is important to encourage your child to stay hydrated, get enough sleep, and manage stress levels as these factors can contribute to headaches in children and young people.

If you have any concerns about your child’s headaches, do not hesitate to seek advice from a healthcare professional. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to the health and well-being of your child.

If you need information but have limited access, visit zero.govt.nz, search for KidsHealth, and click on our logo to find free resources. For immediate medical assistance, call Healthline at 0800 611 116 – a 24/7 over-the-phone service. In case of emergencies, dial 111.

Common Headache Information

• headaches are common among children and young people
• most headaches are not serious, but can be distressing
• drinking fluids and resting in a dark room can provide relief
• maintaining healthy habits such as regular meals, sufficient sleep, and exercise can help prevent headaches
• consult a healthcare professional if necessary as some headaches could be a sign of a more serious condition
• some common triggers for headaches include stress, dehydration, lack of sleep, and certain foods
• keeping a headache diary can help identify patterns and triggers for your headaches
• medications, relaxation techniques, and alternative therapies can also be helpful in managing headaches
• if you experience frequent or severe headaches, it is important to seek medical attention for proper diagnosis and treatment

About Headaches

Headaches can range from mild to severe pain in the head or face experienced by children and young individuals. There are two primary types of headaches – primary and secondary.

Types of Headaches

Primary headaches are the main issue and can be triggered by factors like stress or lack of sleep. Migraines are a common type of primary headache.

Secondary headaches happen when another condition is present.

Explore further information on symptoms related to headaches.

Symptoms of Headaches

Tension Headaches

Tension headaches are often characterized by a dull ache in the head and neck area. They can also cause a feeling of tightness or pressure around the forehead or back of the head.

Migraines

Migraines typically present as a throbbing pain on one side of the head along with other accompanying symptoms such as nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and aura.

Other types of headaches include cluster headaches, sinus headaches, and rebound headaches. It’s important to identify the type of headache you’re experiencing to determine the best course of treatment. Consult with a healthcare provider if you experience frequent or severe headaches.

Common Triggers for Headaches

• lack of sleep
• stress
• eye problems
• dehydration
• viral infections
• poor posture
• loud noises
• certain foods or drinks (e.g. alcohol, caffeine, MSG)
• weather changes
• hormonal changes

Serious Headache Symptoms

If you are worried about your child’s headaches, seek medical advice. Look out for signs such as:

• sudden, intense headache onset
• headaches accompanied by nausea, vomiting, or worsening over time
• recurrent headaches impacting daily activities
• headache worsening with straining

Discover the correlation between children’s anxiety and physical symptoms such as headaches or stomachaches.

Learn strategies to help children manage anxiety effectively for a better quality of life. Seek treatment if anxiety disrupts your child’s daily routine or social life.

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) is an effective treatment for anxiety starting as early as 5 years old.

Techniques for calming down

Explore techniques from CBT and mindfulness training used to assist anxious children:

• Deep breathing: to reduce stress by slowing down breathing
• Mindfulness exercises: focusing on surroundings to divert attention from anxiety
• Coping statements: promoting positive self-talk to combat worries
• Coping ahead: planning actions to address anxiety triggers proactively
• Acceptance: acknowledging discomfort without resisting it
• Progressive muscle relaxation: tensing and relaxing muscle groups to release physical tension
• Visualization: imagining a peaceful place or scenario to calm the mind

The parents’ role is key

Parents may find it challenging to encourage anxious children to attend school despite their concerns. It’s crucial to strike a balance to support them effectively. Implementing a reward system can reinforce positive behavior when children overcome anxiety. Parents should also manage their own anxiety related to their child’s distress.

Working with the school

Schools play a vital role in supporting children experiencing anxiety symptoms. Collaboration with healthcare providers can establish protocols to minimize absences and encourage a swift return to classes. Physical symptoms of anxiety, especially in school-age children, are common.

Frequently Asked Questions

Anxiety in children can manifest as stomachaches and headaches. Addressing these symptoms early is crucial to prevent further anxiety-related issues.

While headaches in children are usually not serious, parents should be attentive to warning signs indicating a more severe problem.

Types of headaches in kids and their causes

Children may experience different types of headaches like tension headaches, sinus headaches, migraines, and chronic daily headaches.

Tension headaches are often caused by stress, lack of sleep, or poor posture. Sinus headaches occur when the sinuses become inflamed due to allergies or infections. Migraines are thought to be caused by changes in the brain’s blood flow and can be triggered by certain foods, stress, or hormonal changes. Chronic daily headaches can be caused by a variety of factors, including medication overuse, muscle tension, or underlying health conditions.

It is important to monitor your child’s headaches and consult with a healthcare professional if they are experiencing frequent or severe headaches. Identifying the underlying cause of the headaches can help in determining the appropriate treatment and management strategies.

Warning signs and when to worry about headaches in children

Parents need to be vigilant of warning signs of severe headaches requiring medical attention, such as sudden intense pain, headaches post-head injuries, or headaches with neurological symptoms.

In addition to these warning signs, parents should also be concerned if their child’s headaches are accompanied by fever, vomiting, or visual disturbances. It is important to seek medical advice if a child’s headaches are persistent, increasing in frequency and severity, or if they interfere with daily activities.

Keep track of your child’s headache patterns, triggers, and any other symptoms they may experience. This information can be valuable for healthcare providers in making an accurate diagnosis and determining the appropriate treatment plan. Remember, early detection and intervention can help prevent complications and improve your child’s quality of life.

Ways to treat a child’s headache

Assist your child in managing headaches through rest, cool compresses, relaxation techniques, proper nutrition, hydration, and considering over-the-counter medications.

What parents can do to help children with headaches

Maintain a headache diary to track patterns, help your child manage stress, and consult medical advice if headaches persist or worsen. Establish healthy routines to instill habits in your child for their future well-being.

Trust your instincts when it comes to frequent headaches or concerning symptoms. Seek guidance from healthcare providers and visit our Be Well blog Grow section for additional health and safety tips.

Headaches can vary in intensity and duration, affecting children and adolescents. Primary headaches have various syndromes, while secondary headaches may indicate underlying conditions.

Address common primary causes like tension-type, migraines, cluster, and chronic daily headaches. Be aware of signs of serious secondary causes like meningitis, head trauma, high blood pressure, brain infections, and tumors.

Tension-type headaches are characterized by a tight band sensation, migraines include nausea and throbbing pain, cluster headaches are severe and one-sided, while chronic daily headaches persist for over 15 days a month. Watch for secondary headache symptoms that may require medical attention.

Treatment involves pain relief methods and trigger avoidance. Limit the use of painkillers to prevent medication-overuse headaches and consider prophylactic therapy for severe migraines. Holistic approaches for chronic headaches focus on medication, stress management, regular sleep, nutrition, hydration, exercise, relaxation, and realistic expectations.

For secondary headaches, the treatment depends on the underlying cause. Seek immediate medical attention for concerning symptoms at the Children’s Emergency.